Berlin vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Berlin
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.8%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Berlin has equivalent purchasing power to $69,578 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Berlin has the same purchasing power as $69,578 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $80,844 in Berlin.
Living in Berlin vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Berlin's housing index of 98 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $170,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Berlin compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 80 in Berlin and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $380/month in Berlin vs $461/month in Hattiesburg. Berlin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $972/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Berlin and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Berlin vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Berlin and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $46,000 in Berlin and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,422 and $57,273 respectively. Hattiesburg residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Berlin vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Berlin, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases